Kentucky Roses

Sadie Moore is back in Louisville, helping her mother Anna at the family's nearly century-old greenhouse while moonlighting at Delilah's flower shop. Sadie loves the family tradition but wants to build a life of her own as a florist, even if that means starting at the bottom. Anna worries that Sadie is sacrificing stability and hopes she will eventually find a good marriage and have children, but Sadie insists that she cannot keep abandoning her dreams for other people's expectations. A violent storm damages the roof and a spire at Churchill Downs just two weeks before the Kentucky Derby. Ash Taylor, a successful builder based in Cincinnati, accepts the urgent repair job after pressure from his father, Frank Reed, the CEO of Churchill Downs. Ash resents being treated as a privileged heir and uses his middle name professionally to distance himself from the Reed family. He first meets Sadie at the damaged racetrack when she is collecting plants at night, and their awkward exchange, followed by a fireworks-filled conversation, sparks a mutual attraction. As Ash works to complete the repairs and Sadie continues her florist training, they repeatedly cross paths during Derby preparations. Sadie impresses Delilah by designing arrangements and is given a chance to handle her own clients. After Sadie unexpectedly accepts a major Derby Week charity gala, she struggles to source enough flowers, but Ash helps her find rare wild roses on his family's property. Their connection deepens at the gala and at a community event hosted by Ash's family, though Sadie becomes upset when she learns that Ash is actually a Reed and believes he has concealed the truth from her. Sadie and Ash's conflict echoes a family story about Sadie's great-grandmother Gloria Green and Ash's great-uncle Charlie Reed. The family has long claimed that Gloria was a gold digger who abandoned Charlie after taking his jewelry, but Sadie learns that Charlie loved Gloria and was pressured by his family to reject her. A hidden letter and the necklace he gave her eventually reveal that Gloria returned the gift and that Charlie regretted lacking the courage to choose his own life. The discovery helps Sadie and Ash understand that they are not required to repeat the compromises of their ancestors. The central Derby crisis arrives when a flash flood strands the shipment of roses intended for the traditional Kentucky Derby Blanket of Roses. Goldoni's needs 1,000 roses within days, and Sadie initially has no way to help. With Delilah's support, she appeals to local florists, growers, and ordinary gardeners, prompting the community to donate its own roses. Ash assists Sadie while they repair their relationship, and the community gathers enough flowers to build the blanket. Ash also begins reconciling with Frank, who finally acknowledges his son's accomplishments and supports Ash's vision for a retired racehorse aftercare program. On Derby Day, Sadie wears Gloria's restored necklace and attends the race with Ash and his family. Their friend Camila's long-shot horse, Angel Face, starts from the historically unlucky seventeenth post but surges forward to win the Kentucky Derby. The community's rose blanket is presented successfully, and Goldoni's offers Sadie the opportunity to supply future Derby blankets through local Louisville florists. Sadie and Ash celebrate their shared legacy, while Ash and Frank move toward a healthier partnership and a new horse-rehoming program.